When Marti Cifuentes arrived on Filbert Way during midsummer, the first thing he would have been doing was to assess the squad on paper at Leicester City Football Club. In theory, he would have noticed that talent exists at LCFC. In addition to that, the Catalan manager would have identified a few key men, as well as potential leaders amongst the group.
Although, pretty much all of City's standout players have stood out for the wrong reasons at King Power Stadium and beyond this season. One or two senior athletes have managed to solidify their place in the team; questionable footballers like Jannik Vestergaard are now the backbone and 'best' performers of this lacklustre and uncommitted roster.
Unfortunately, that last point is not creditable to the Foxes as an organisation: it is an indictment of terrible mismanagement at the highest level for years now. Not to mention a severe critique of the East Midlands outfit's generally atrocious recruitment over that period. Though we do know that the unreal mishandling of finances here and seemingly in Asia (where The King Power International Group create their bread and butter) has affected the quality of baller we recruit, sadly.
Cifuentes would have certainly selected three wingers at Leicester who could have helped send us back to the Premier League. Jeremy Monga, Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi are a gifted bunch. However, none of them have set the division on fire in this campaign. Monga can be forgiven as he's a 16-year-old finding his way. And Fatawu threatens to be electric at times. But what's happened to Mavididi?!
What is going on with Stephy Mavididi as bad form deteriorates further for Leicester City?
I am always happy to see Mavididi begin games; even when he hasn't scored or assisted in an entire term. He seems a more honest and pleasant person; somebody you'd like to see succeed.
Many of us Foxes in the Blue Army actually expected Mavididi to do the business in the English top flight too. I wasn't expecting prime Riyad Mahrez, but City's current winger has the ability to trouble most defences. Well, he did have that capacity.
I don't know if Mavididi has been carrying injuries for 2025/26, if his confidence is shot, or whether he has personal issues. Yet the 27-year-old is a shell of his former self. I'll put it this way: don't let him take a penalty to rekindle the fire, it'd backfire.
Three truly poor, possible goalscoring moments versus Blackburn Rovers summed up the Derby-born man's season on Saturday. I'll allow Leicester Mercury to explain:
"Inside five minutes, Ricardo Pereira advanced down the right and crossed low to Mavididi at the back post, with his goalbound shot deflected over by Ryan Alebiosu.Jordan Blackwell, LCFC Live
From the resulting corner, Jannik Vestergaard powered a header goalwards. Mavididi, stood in front of Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth, made sure, only to be flagged for offside. Vestergaard fumed, knowing Mavididi had likely denied him and City a goal. Julian Carranza cleverly dummied and Mavididi had a chance to score from just a few yards out. But Toth dived heroically into the path of the short and blocked it with his outstretched toes."